Staff Profile

Career Summary

Biography

Current Leader of the Newcastle Node ARC Centre of Excellence for Integrative Legume Research. Member of the Centres' Management Committee, Scientific Advisory Committee and Advisory Board. The Centre, including the Newcastle Node, was successfully reviewed (ranked 4/14 in funding of ARC Centres reviewed) and funding extended until 2010. Total funding from ARC, States and Universities will amount to $30,000,000 and I will receive $2,500,000. Currently in my group and funded by the Centre include: Dr. Kim Nolan and Dr. Sergey Kurdyukov (postdioctoral fellows), Dr. Michael Sheahan (ARC Postdoctoral Fellow - research supported by Centre) and two PhD students. I also collaborate with Dr. David McCurdy on one project and also collaborate with Dr. Geoff Macfarlane. Research Contributions My major research contributions have been in the cell biology of the nucleolus, (as CSIRO Overseas Posdoctoral Fellow) the somatic genetics of chloroplasts and mitochondria, Medicago truncatula genetic modification and mechanisms of somatic embryogenesis. I provided the first evidence that chloroplasts of flowering plants had a regular division cycle involving replication and segregation of cpDNA to daughter chloroplasts. I received the Australian Society of Plant Scientists Goldacre Medal for this work. Subsequently I showed that cp nucleoids were bound to membranes to ensure ordered cpDNA transmission. More recently we have provided the most direct evidence that fusion/fission of mitochondria ensures the genetic continuity of the multipartite mt genome (featured on cover of Plant Journal). Our genetic transformation success with Medicago truncatula fulfilled an important criteria for the establishment of this legume internationally as a model species for genomic studies. We have supplied 2HA seed (highly embryogenic mutant) to numerous labs and I was invited to the first international workshops on M. truncatula. Using 2HA, we have developed a framework of understanding of how embryogenesis and organogenesis occurs and detailed molecular analyses is being linked to this conceptual understanding. I have spoke on this at international conferences.

Qualifications

PhD, Macquarie University, 27/08/1970

Bachelor of Science (Agriculture), University of Sydney, 13/05/1964

Research

Research keywords

Chloroplast and Mitochondrial DNA

Legume Genomics

Plant Biotechnology

Plant Cell and Molecular Biology

Plant Development

Plant Molecular Genetics

Somatic Embryogenesis

Research expertise

I have carried out extensive research into the cell and molecular biology of plant cells and plant development. Many strategies and techniques have been used in investigations of nuclei, chloroplasts and mitochondria. These include cell biology, electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, molecular biology, molecular genetics ,cell culture and transformation. I have also had a a long experience with plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis from protoplasts, tissues and fused cells; and transformation using Medicago truncatula. All research has been in the context of molecular genetics using contemporary nucleic acid techniques including hybridisation, qRT-PCR, microarrays, GFP and GUS reporters.

My major research contributions have been in the cell biology of the nucleolus, the somatic genetics of chloroplasts and mitochondria, Medicago truncatula genetic modification and mechanisms of somatic embryogenesis. I provided the first evidence that chloroplasts of flowering plants had a regular division cycle involving replication and segregation of cpDNA to daughter chloroplasts. I received the Australian Society of Plant Scientists Goldacre Medal for this work. Subsequently I showed that cp nucleoids were bound to membranes to ensure ordered cpDNA transmission. More recently we have provided the most direct evidence that fusion/fission of mitochondria ensures the genetic continuity of the multipartite mt genome (featured on cover of Plant Journal). Our genetic transformation success with Medicago truncatula fulfilled an important criteria for the establishment of this legume internationally as a model species for genomic studies We have supplied 2HA seed (highly embryogenic mutant) to numerous labs and I was invited to the first international workshops on M. truncatula. Using 2HA, we have a framework of understanding of how embryogenesis and organogenesis occurs and detailed molecular analyses can be linked to this conceptual understanding.

Fields of Research

Code

Description

Percentage

060700

Plant Biology

80

070399

Crop And Pasture Production Not Elsewhere Classified

10

060499

Genetics Not Elsewhere Classified

10

Memberships

Committee/Associations (relevant to research).

State Representative 1990-1992 - Australian Society of Plant Scientists

Editorial Board.

Editor, Plant Cell Reports (80 papers reviewed)

Editorial Advisory Board, Protoplasma

Appointments

Member Management Committee and Centre Advisory BoardARC Centre of Excellence for Integrative Legume Research (Australia)

01/09/2003

Awards

Honours.

1977

P.L. Goldacre Medal Australian Society of Plant Scientists (Australia)Awarded for research by Australian scientist (under 35) for outstanding research. Specifically for research on chloroplast DNA replication and segregation in the chloroplast division cycle. Published in Nature, Proceedings of the Royal Society and Journal of Cell Science.

Research Award.

1970

CSIRO Overseas Postdoctoral FellowshipCSIRO (Australia)Awarded CSIRO postdoctoral fellowship to overseas university of choice. Based on PhD research on the mechanism of plant cell growth. Fares and stipend for one year.

Administrative

Administrative expertise

Head of Department of Biological Sciences (1990-96)

As Head of the Department of Biological Sciences I was concerned with the declining interest in Science and a need to revitalise our degree programs and to combine the concept of relevance with fundamental understanding. I was also concerned with the declining entry scores into Science. The B. Env. Sci. Degree commenced in 1990 and I organised the Departments role in this program and contributed to curriculum development. Due to my personal interest in molecular biotechnology and the strength of the Department in cell and molecular biology I initiated the B.Sc. (Biotechnology) Program which had its first student intake in 1997 where I became Convenor of the Degree and have continued that role.

I was involved in setting up Biological Sciences on the Central Coast Campus, making the initial appointments and assisting in the organization of the initial teaching.

I oversaw the introduction of more comprehensive quality assurance procedures and the reviews of the Department within a Faculty Review and a Department Review.

Together with the Faculty of Medicine, Hunter Area Health Service and the Department of Biological Sciences a Biomolecular Research Facility (BRF) for obtaining large items of analytical equipment e.g. DNA sequencer, protein sequencer was set up. In the initial set up in 1995/96 I was Deputy Chair, Chair in 1997/98 and again Deputy Chair in 1999/2000. This initiative was particularly driven by being Head of Biological Sciences and interacting with the Head of Biomedical Sciences. The BRF has now become an integral part of the Universitys infrastructure.

With recombinant DNA being essential for contemporary Biotechnology and Molecular Biology it was essential to have the appropriate regulatory regime to comply with the national Genetic Manipulation Advisory Committee (GMAC) - now following legislation the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR). I was the chair of the Universitys Biohazards Technical Sub Committee (1994-2001) which served as the Institutional Biosafety Committee which reported to GMAC, overseeing genetic manipulation at the University of Newcastle and in the Newcastle region .

Teaching

Teaching keywords

Biotechnology

Molecular Genetics

Plant Cell and Molecular Biology

Plant Development

Teaching expertise

I instituted and developed the Biotechnology Program at The University. The main themes then were :

To have a strong science base with a number of

compulsory year 1 courses as there was an increasing tendency of biology students to not have enough chemistry or quantitative skills.

To have good representation of contemporary molecular genetics/biology, biochemistry, microbiology and cell biology.

To have courses that could give an appreciation of biotechnology across the life sciences, mammalian/human, plant and microbial.

To have a professional development aspect including a compulsory placement.

The Biotechnology Degree has been successfully established and successfully reviewed twice.

Undergraduate Course Development

At The University of Newcastle I have prepared courses and lectured in a number of subject areas.

HUBS3204 Professional Skills for Biotechnologists and Biomedical Scientists 10 cp

BIOL2240 Bioethics and Law (Co-ordination ) 10 cp

The courses I am involved with have a wide range of teaching strategies and we have experimented in the Biotechnology Program. I have provided extensive information to the Review of Australian Biotechnology Education and have attended a National Conference to discuss the review and teaching strategies in Biotechnology.

Honours and postgraduate teaching

At the University of Newcastle, I have graduated 26 Honours students (13 H(1) including one University Medallist, 13 H2(1)) students, one M.Sc. student and 12 PhDs ( 2 joint supervision) students. I currently have 2 PhD students.

LINDBECK AGC, ROSE RJ, 'STUDIES ON THE THYLAKOID-ASSOCIATED CHLOROPLAST DNA IN SPINACH AND MAIZE USING RESTRICTION ENDONUCLEASES AND THE FLUOROCHROME 4'6-DIAMIDINO-2-PHENYLINDOLE', PROCEEDINGS OF THE AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY, 15 74-74 (1983)

ROSE RJ, POSSINGHAM JV, 'LOCALIZATION OF H-3-THYMIDINE INCORPORATION IN DNA OF A SPINACH-CHLOROPLASTS BY ELECTRON-MICROSCOPE AUTORADIOGRAPHY', PROCEEDINGS OF THE AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY, 8 67-67 (1975)

Song Y, Wang X-D, Garg ML, Sheahan MB, Rose RJ, 'Regulation of oil body biogenesis in the model legume medicago truncatula', COMBIO 2011: Annual Conferences of the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the Australian Society of Plant Scientists and the Australia and New Zealand Society for Cell and Deve, Cairns, Queensland (2011) [E3]

Tiew TWY, Rose RJ, Sheahan MB, 'The importance of peroxisome dynamics to Ros homeostasis in plant cell regeneration', COMBIO 2011: Annual Conferences of the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the Australian Society of Plant Scientists and the Australia and New Zealand Society for Cell and Deve, Cairns, Queensland (2011) [E3]

2010

Nolan KE, Rose RJ, 'Characterisation of the Serk gene family in legumes involved in development and defense', OzBio 2010: The Molecules of Life - from Discovery to Biotechnology. Abstracts, Melbourne, Vic (2010) [E3]

Nolan KE, Rose RJ, 'SERK1 expression is associated with developmental change in the life cycle of the model legume Medicago truncatula', Proceedings of the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Canberra, ACT (2008) [E3]

2008

Nolan KE, Rose RJ, 'Expression of the receptor-like kinase gene, SERK1 is associated with developmental change during the life cycle of the model legume Medicago truncatula', ICLGG IV: IV International Conference on Legume Genomics and Genetics: Book of Abstracts, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (2008) [E3]

Irwanto RR, Rose RJ, 'Investigation into the genotypic differences between high and low regenerability lines of Medicago truncatula cv. jemalong', Proceedings of the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sydney, NSW (2002) [E3]